This chapter introduces and explores a new concept—a business network. By understanding what business networks are and how they function, you'll be able to understand how blockchain technology can radically improve them. A blockchain, and in particular a Hyperledger Fabric blockchain, provides significant benefits for business networks because it radically simplifies the information and processes that knit businesses together, both reducing cost and creating new opportunities for the businesses within the network.
We'll see how the concept of a business network allows you to analyze a business by looking at the counterparties with which it interacts. And although business networks are industry specific, a single network can be used to support multiple use cases, and linked to other business networks to form networks of networks.
We'll spend some time introducing the vocabulary of business network, introducing key terms such as participants, assets, transactions...